Use of Mechanical Splices (Couplers) for Reinforcing Steel

Abstract

Construction practices in the building of concrete structures have focused on the use of steel reinforcement to transfer tension and shear forces. Lap splicing has become the traditional method of connecting the steel reinforcing bars. Splicing the reinforcement bars by laps or welding have various imperfections such as low-quality welds, inadequate length of laps, failure in joints, increase in labor cost etc. Present study was focused on the use and applicability of reinforcement couplers, especially threaded ones as an alternative to lap splices. A case study of an under-construction site was taken where couplers were used. An estimation of the cost of couplers was done. Alternatively, the cost of steel was also determined for providing lap splices in the columns. A comparison was done to show the difference of cost in lapping and use of couplers. It was found that the use of reinforcement couplers significantly reduces the consumption of both construction time and reinforcing steel. It also increases the overall reliability of reinforcement splices. This case study included calculations for 14 columns and showed that how couplers have effectively saved a huge amount of money in a single building. The reinforcement couplers not only provide strength to the joints but they are also an economic means of connections of two bars.